Is Android poised for a US comeback?

Google likes to speak about what number of Android units there are on the market (“3 billion energetic units and counting” as lately as April), and it is true: Android’s constantly maintained a 70ish % share of the worldwide cellular OS market since 2017. That is not the entire story, although, and particularly not within the US. Stateside, greater than half of recent smartphone gross sales are iPhones. Younger folks in America particularly actually gravitate to iOS; final yr, AP Telephones Editor Will wrote about how US teenagers’ desire for iOS illustrated a possible demise spiral for Android in America.

However this week, we noticed some encouraging indicators that Android is making good points within the premium area. Pixel uptake has been traditionally sturdy this yr within the US, and internationally, the Samsung Galaxy S24 cracked the highest 10 listing for best-selling smartphones final quarter — the primary time a Samsung flagship has graced that listing since 2018. That is particularly spectacular given the iPhone 16’s launch throughout the identical interval. It might change into a fluke, however an Android optimist may take this information as an indication that Apple’s dominance within the high-end and US markets is beginning to slip.

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Issues are wanting up for Android

The strongest indicator that issues are getting higher for Android within the US is one we actually ought to take with a grain of salt. Net analytics agency Statcounter revealed a chart this week displaying that Google’s total cellular market share in North America shot from underneath 5 % in September to almost 13 % in October. Apple’s share fell from about 56 % to 51 % in the identical interval. Statcounter analyzes internet visitors information to find out which units persons are utilizing month to month, so this is not exhausting gross sales information. However assuming Statcounter did not expertise a really pronounced glitch, its findings suggest one thing actually is occurring right here.

I am admittedly incredulous of Statcounter’s findings, however they do observe with latest developments. In October, Counterpoint Analysis revealed its findings that the third quarter of 2024 was Google’s greatest quarter ever for smartphone gross sales. And as reported by 9to5Google, Counterpoint individually said that Google’s US smartphone shipments had been up 20 % yr over yr final quarter — and Apple’s had been down two %. Motorola noticed comparable good points to Google.

Counterpoint’s information reveals Samsung took a substantial year-over-year hit within the US final quarter, which complicates issues a little bit bit; US shipments had been down 13 %. However on the similar time, the early-2024 Galaxy S24 was the Tenth-best-selling telephone on the planet final quarter, marking the primary time in years a premium Samsung telephone has made that listing up to now six years.

It is too early to extrapolate tendencies from any of this, however until Google’s 24Q3 efficiency was a fluke, it paints the image of a shifting US smartphone market — to Google’s profit. And as Will factors out, what’s good for Pixel is sweet for Android on the entire: “this kind of ahead momentum is precisely what Google must cement itself because the ‘third possibility’ alongside Samsung and Apple,” he writes. Google’s additionally began promoting refurbished older Pixels, and its upcoming Pixel 9a is shaping as much as be a banger. Google is onto one thing right here, even when it did not almost triple its North American market share within the span of a month the best way Statcounter’s information implies.

It is beginning to really feel like Android’s poised for a comeback within the US.

It is exhausting to know what may trigger shifts like these. Counterpoint analyst Maurice Khlaehne reckons AI performance is perhaps driving gross sales, and Google’s definitely leaning into AI options in its Pixel 9 advertising. On the similar time, the Android and iPhone expertise has been getting an increasing number of comparable: final yr’s iPhone 15 fashions had been the primary to return with USB-C charging, and this yr’s iOS 18 consists of theming choices which can be greater than a little bit like options Android’s been exploring since 2021. RCS might even have one thing to do with it; now that mainly each trendy smartphone has texting options like high-quality media attachments and typing indicators, iMessage is not fairly the must-have unique function it was.

Regardless of the cause, it is beginning to really feel like Android’s poised for a comeback within the US. Turning up the warmth on market chief Apple would assist the whole trade: when there’s actual competitors, massive gamers are compelled to innovate yr over yr to draw prospects who’ve viable choices elsewhere. I simply hope AI options aren’t actually the driving drive — I might a lot moderately see generational leaps in battery life and digital camera efficiency than extra succesful picture generator apps, and I do not suppose I am alone there.

Fast Share may very well be coming to Macs; Android 15 will get its first replace

Google rising its US marketshare in opposition to the iPhone is not the one Android-iOS information this week. RCS performance on iPhones now works a little bit higher with Android telephones, and Google’s apparently working to deliver a key Android function to iOS units. Oh, and Android 15 obtained its first patch — although it isn’t a really thrilling one.

Fast Share may very well be coming to Apple units. Fast Share, previously Close by Share, is Android’s model of Airdrop; it permits you to share recordsdata with suitable close by units. Writing for Android Authority, Mishaal Rahman experiences that he discovered references in Google’s Close by Github repository to macOS and iOS. The implication is that Google’s engaged on a Fast Share app for iPhones and Macs, which might additional erode Apple’s ecosystem lock-in benefit and push extra iPhone prospects to provide Android a shot.

Emoji reactions from Google Messages now present up accurately on iOS. I truly do not know what modified to allow this, however beforehand, emoji textual content message reactions despatched from Android to iOS would present up on the iPhone as a separate textual content message. Now, as reported by the Verge, emoji reactions despatched from both platform present up as supposed on each ends. One other little chip in Apple’s backyard wall.

The primary Android 15 patch landed on Pixel telephones this week, squashing just a few bugs. It addresses points with Bluetooth, digital camera software program, display screen brightness, and extra, so when you’re utilizing a Pixel, remember to seize it.